Frame structure for handbags, luggage, and the like



Jam 23, 1940. B, TEMB F; 2,187,796

FRAME STRUCTURE FOR HANDBAGS, LUGGAGE, AND THE LIKE Fild Feb. 10, 1959 v INVENTOR.

flzmard fifeme/r- BY wyw ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 23, 1940 FRAME STRUCTURE FOR HANDBAGS, LUGGAGE, AND THE LIKE Bernard Stember, East Orange, N. J. Application February 10, 1939, Serial No. 255,569

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in frame structure employed for use in such articles and devices, as for example, pocketbooks, vanities, purses, handbags and luggage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame structure for such article or device in which an auxiliary frame is swingably attached to a main frame, said auxiliary frame I to swing outwardly and upwardly when the main frame is opened and collapsing when the main frame is closed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means in the aforesaid frame structure to cause the auxiliary frame to automatically swing upwardly and outwardly upon opening of themain frame.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure in relation contemplated by this invention, a drawing depicting a certain form of the invention has been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawing, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pocketbook made in accordance with the invention, the auxiliary frame being seen in retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing the auxiliary frame in, its extended position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the auxiliary frame.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line l-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of part of the device made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through line 6-4 of Figure 5.

The present invention is applicable for use in handbags, pocketbooks, vanity cases, luggage, purses, etc., but for illustrative purposes and by way of example only, it is disclosed in the drawing as being incorporated in a ladys handbag.

The handbag Ill comprises the frame struc-' ture II, the outer frame I2 of which may be of conventional make or design. In this instance it is seen as comprising two similar sub-' stantially U-shaped members, or jaws l3, M hinged connected at their free ends [5 as by frame member M, as indicated at 22. Each pair means of rivets or eyelets it. Secured to the frame members l'i, i l of the outer frame l2 in any conventional manner is thebag portion I! made of any suitable material, such as leather, imitation leather, cloth, etc., gussets it being 5 provided in the usual manner at the ends of the bag. I

Pivotally attached to the-main frame 52 is an auxiliary frame Hi. This auxiliary frame is supported on two pairs of arms 2%, 26, the pair 20 comprising members 2t, 2G and the pair 25 comprising the members 2i, 2!", members 26 and iii are pivoted at their free ends to outer of arms are pivotally connected as at 23. The 5 pin 23 also acts as a pivot point for the auxiliary frame i2. To facilitate the emerging of the auxiliary frame is from the inside of the bag ll, springs 25 are secured to the fulcrum pins 23 as shown in Fig. 3.

The two tension springs 25 have one of their ends secured to arms 20', 2i as shown at 25, while the other ends of the tension springs 24 are secured to the arms 23', 2! as shown at 26. 0 These springs 2i tend to urge the pocketbook l9 upwardly and outwardly when the main frame i2 is opened. The pocketbook or purse [9 comprises the two pivotally connected U-shaped frame elements I9, H)" to which is attached the receptacle portion 2'! made of any suitable material. The frame elements it, It" are pivotally connected to the articulated joints 23 of the pairs of arms 29], 2i.

It can be readily seen that upon opening main frame I2 and separating the frame members 123, I4, the pairs of arms ill, 2! will straighten out thereby extending the auxiliary frame and thus the pocketbook or purse l9 and by then bringing the frame members it, i l towards each other the auxiliary frame may be still further extended as shown Fig. 2, To retract the auxiliary frame, the bag is again opened and the pocketbook it moved downwardly and the main frame members it, it then brought together. Suitable locking means may be provided for both frames as the flap 28 and complementary snap element 29, 38 for the outer frame and the spring locking element 35 for the auxiliary frame.

' The pivotal connections are adapted for emerg- 5 ing the auxiliary frame from the inside of the bag beyond the dead point position of the arms.

It is readily understood that the auxiliary frame may be employed for other purposes as for extending and retracting a mirror in'a vanity 55 case, for extending and retracting clothes hangers and the like in luggage, etc.

As shown in Fig. 4 the arms 26', 2| and 20", 2| may be channel-shaped to clamp end skirts (not shown) thereby concealing the inside of the bag from the ends and preventing the contents of the bag being inadvertently removed or lost when the bag is open.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is apparent that an improved simple, practical and inexpensive device for the purpose intended is provided. It is apparent however, that immaterial changes and modifications may be made by skilled persons without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims. Hence, the inter pretation of said claims should not be based on the present specific disclosure but rather on the pertinent prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A frame structure for handbags, luggage and the like comprising a main frame and an auxiliary frame, said main frame comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped members pivotedly connected to each other at their free ends, said auxiliary frame comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped elements and two pairs of arms, an arm of each pair being pivotally connected to one of said main frame members and the other arm of each pair being pivotally connected to the other of said main frame members, means pivotally connecting together the arms of each pair and said elements, said pivotal connections being adapted for emerging said auxiliary frame from the inside of said bag beyond the dead point position of said arms, and

end skirts fixed to said arms and extending therefrom towards the inside of said bag.

2. A frame structure for handbags, luggage and the like comprising a main frame and an auxiliary frame, said main frame comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped members pivotedly connected to each other at their free ends, said auxiliary frame comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped elements and two pairs of arms, an arm of each pair being pivotally connected to one of said main frame members and the other arm of each pair being pivotally connected to the other of said main frame members, means pivotally connecting together the arms of each pair and said elements, said pivotal connections being adapted for emerging said auxiliary frame from the inside of said bag and end skirts fixed to said arms and extending therefrom to the bottom of said bag enclosing the sides of the bag.

3. A frame structure for handbags, luggage and the like comprising a main frame and an auxiliary frame, said main frame comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped members pivotediy connected to each other at their free ends, said auxiliary frame comprising at least one substantially U-shaped element and two pairs of arms, an arm of each pair being pivotally connected to one of said main frame members and the other arm of each pair being pivotally connected to the other of said main frame members, means pivotally connecting together the arms of each pair and said element, said pivotal connections being adapted for emerging said auxiliary frame from the inside of said bag and end skirts fixed to said arms and extending therefrom to the bottom of said bag enclosing the sides of the bag.

BERNARD STEMBER. 

